FDArts Nursing Associate Foundation degree at Plymouth Marjon University
FDArts Nursing Associate at PMU is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for registration as a qualified nurse in mental health.
About this course
Become a highly trained, vital part of the wider nursing team. From the provider’s course page.
FDArts Nursing Associate is a Foundation degree (FDArts) at PMU, based in Main Site. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Modules 5 modules
- Assessing, Monitoring and Contributing to Integrated Care for Nursing Associates
Module details
This module will introduce students to the theory of nursing practice and the importance of history-taking and robust holistic assessment using a bio-psycho-social approach and accurate documentation of assessment data and information. Students will develop their understanding of the first stage of assessment, interpreting clinical data to establish a baseline from which they will be able to prioritise, demonstrating an understanding of context and its impact on immediate care planning, implemen
- Professional and Personal Development for Nursing Associates
Module details
This module will help students to develop their skills and ability to reflect on their own personal, professional, and academic development and explore issues relating to quality healthcare service delivery. Students will explore the demands of professional practice and learn how to recognise signs of vulnerability in themselves, or their colleagues and the actions required to minimise risks to personal health. This will include helping students to develop strategies to build resilience, includi
- Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health
Module details
In this module, students will explore sociological factors which impact health status and examine concepts of health and illness and their social context from a life-course perspective, exploring health inequalities and evaluating factors that contribute to a community network. Students will also learn about the theories, principles and concepts that underpin public health practice and its intended impact across sectors to address health inequalities and improve health. Students will examine tre
- Medicines Management
Module details
This module will help students to develop their knowledge, skills and professional behaviours to ensure safe administration of medicines via various routes within the context of the NMC (2018) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates, with a specific focus on Annex B Procedural Skills, Section 10: Procedural competencies required for administering medicines safely. Students will develop their knowledge of accountability and working within ethico-legal and policy frameworks, as well as the
- Improving Patient Safety through Research
Module details
The final module of the programme focuses on developing the student's awareness of current patient safety issues and understanding the importance of applying valid research-based evidence to nursing associate practice to understand and reduce risk and prevent harm. Students will learn about risk factors which contribute to patient safety incidents in an increasingly complex healthcare system and the importance of adhering to local policy guidelines. Students will learn about different types of r
2nd Year 1 modules
- Developing Nursing Associate Practice 2
Module details
This all-year practice-based module builds on learning in Year 1 and will enable students to transfer and consolidate their knowledge, skills and professional behaviours as part of the team in clinical practice. Students will work towards practising independently with minimal supervision to provide and monitor high-quality, safe, person-centred care, demonstrating increasing knowledge, skills and confidence. Students will work towards achieving the Standards of proficiency for nursing associates
Assessment: Continuously assessed and undertake three formal assessments including (1) Episode of Care 1 (2) Episode of Care 2 and (3) Medicines Management. All formal assessments will be completed by a designated Practice Assessor.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course trains you as a highly trained, vital part of the wider nursing team. You'll usually begin with core foundations, clinical skills, communication and person-centred care, alongside anatomy and physiology for health. A course like this normally integrates supervised practice placements throughout, starting in Year 1. In Year 2, you'll progress to acute and long-term care, studying how to assess and manage deteriorating and chronic conditions, together with medicines management and pharmacology. Placements broaden into community, mental health or specialist units. You'll typically develop specialisations such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, community and primary care, and leadership. By your final year, you'll focus on complex care coordination, evidence-based practice and transition to NMC registration.
Who it's for
This course suits graduates seeking entry into nursing practice with a structured, accredited qualification. It is designed for those committed to mental health nursing, though related specialisations such as Adult Nursing, Child Health, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Paramedic Science may be available within the broader nursing and health field. You should have the relevant entry qualifications and a genuine interest in healthcare delivery and patient support.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing & Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 87% of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes and LEO) shows starting salaries of £27,000–£30,500 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £23,800–£33,600 after three years and £27,200–£38,400 after five years.
University & format
This is a 2-year full-time Foundation degree (FDArts) studied at Plymouth Marjon University, a University located on its Main Site. Teaching is in English. The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for registration as a qualified nurse (mental health). The university holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is recognised as a nationally recognised degree-awarding body.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code FNA1). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at PMU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
- 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
- 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally
National figures for Nursing & Health graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine documentation and triage support
- Scheduling and records admin
- First-pass risk flags from data
- Standard reference look-ups
More human than ever
- Hands-on, compassionate care
- Clinical judgement and accountability
- Communicating with patients and families
- Ethics and safeguarding decisions
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS trusts
- Private healthcare
- Care providers
- Community & mental-health services
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Nursing & Health graduates.
Nursing Home ManagerJarrodean Healthcare RecruitmentSenior Charge Nurse Uist Community Nursing teamNHS National Services ScotlandCare Assistant - Nursing Home | Flexible Hours, Weekly PayMpa RecruitmentCare Assistant (Nursing) - Nightshift - RatheaneMacklin Care Homes LimitedSenior Support Worker: Meaningful Care & Flexible ShiftsPotens GroupDental NurseBupa Dental CareWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of St Mark and St John
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Main Site
400 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Nursing & Health right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to PMU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by PMU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
This course lists IELTS 7.0 (at least 6.5 in all elements sections). If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check PMU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with PMU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at PMU
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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